Johnson to take over goal kicking duties from Townsend

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Shaun Johnson will take over goal-kicking duties from Chad Townsend at the Sharks and the deposed halfback is perfectly fine with that arrangement.

The pair were close in success rates during the 2018 Telstra Premiership season – Johnson 61 goals from 80 attempts for 76.2 per cent effectiveness, compared with Townsend's 62 from 84 for 73.8 per cent.

But now that the pair are reuniting at Cronulla for 2019 – they were halves partners at the Warriors in 2014-15 – Townsend is happy to hand over the kicking tee.

"Shaun will start with the goalkicking," Townsend told NRL.com.

That will begin when the Kiwis Test star runs out in Cronulla colours for the first time in Saturday's trial against the Knights at Maitland.

"I'll be back-up, and that's fine with me. I'm team first but if the coaching staff want me to come in and take a shot now and then, I'm totally fine with that."